Stir-Fried Garlic Shrimp with Fresh Basil and Chili

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A quick and flavorful stir-fry combining plump shrimp, fresh basil, and fiery chili for a popular Asian-inspired seafood dish. This asian-inspired seafood ready in about 18 minutes pairs peeled and deveined large shrimp, vegetable oil, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 8 min Serves 4 Asian cuisine 180 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 thinly sliced red chili pepper, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp to the wok and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until the shrimp start turning pink and opaque.
  3. Step 3: Pour in 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp fish sauce, and sprinkle 1 tsp brown sugar over the shrimp. Stir well to coat and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the shrimp.
  4. Step 4: Remove from heat and toss in 1 cup fresh basil leaves and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Stir gently until the basil wilts, about 30 seconds. Serve immediately with steamed jasmine rice or noodles.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Stir-Fried Garlic Shrimp with Fresh Basil and Chili take to make?

Total time is about 18 minutes (10 min prep + 8 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Stir-Fried Garlic Shrimp with Fresh Basil and Chili?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep vegetable oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Garlic Shrimp with Fresh Basil and Chili?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Stir-Fried Garlic Shrimp with Fresh Basil and Chili for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Stir-Fried Garlic Shrimp with Fresh Basil and Chili?

Asian seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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